459. Telegram 253 From the Embassy in Jamaica to the Department of State1
253. Subject: Anti-American Activity in Jamaica and Visit of Mayer Matalon to United States. For Assistant Secretary Rogers from Ambassador Gerard.
1. In meeting with Prime Minister January 15, I expressed my great concern about the apparent acceleration of an anti-American campaign evidenced by the consulate demonstration, scurrilous leaflets, placards, newspaper articles and a spatter of “CIA out” graffiti all over Kingston within the last few days. A number of these bear the imprimatur of [Page 1178] the PNP youth organization and at least two public statements are attributed to Dr. D. K. Duncan, PNP Secretary General.
2. Despite assurances received from Minister of Security Munn that PM had “sat” on his Left following last week’s unrest and demonstrations, Manley was evasive in his reply. Saying only that he felt it was important to keep the radical youth within his party and that, although he recognized that from time to time they were guilty of excesses, he thought that a number of actions attributed to them were instigated by others (presumably the extreme Left represented by Trevor Monroe). Furthermore, they were merely reflecting the facts which emerged from the Senate hearings on the CIA. He turned off the subject by saying that he did not want the meeting to become “acrimonious.” Considering that this was our first meeting since the consulate stoning and subsequent shooting of the guards, I found this attitude somewhat less than satisfactory.
3. In a subsequent meeting I had the same day with Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office responsible for economic and party affairs, William Isaacs, he expressed concern about the activities of the PNP youth, said that their activities were the subject of a special meeting with Manley also January 15, but he left with the strong impression that he was doubtful that they either could or would be disciplined.
4. In the light of all recent events, I am even more convinced that my assessment made immediately following Manley’s trip to Cuba is correct, and that he has made a definite flip to the Left. In addition, he has continued to alienate in an accelerating time frame all segments of the existing establishment, including the security forces, in such a curiously impolitic manner that one is led to the conclusion that he has either lost control or has deliberately aligned himself with the radical, pro-Communist Left.
5. When I learned from the update to the Secretary’s briefing papers (State 305554) that Mayer Matalon had called you and Larry Eagleburger suggesting the meeting in Washington rather than conversations here with Al Fishlow, I received a clear signal that it presaged the start of one of the famous Matalon double-talk end runs. Matalon advised me that he intended to stop in Washington around January 20 following a trip to England. I have told Matalon that I wished to see him urgently prior to his departure to discuss his approach to USG, which he agreed had been mishandled to date. He has not responded, and I am now advised by the Israeli Ambassador who is extremely close to the Matalons—his office is in theirs—that Mayer was reluctant to see me until he had cleared with the Prime Minister and that Mayer had been unable to arrange an appointment to date. The Israeli Ambassador also informed me that this had hurt Mayer’s pride and that the Matalons were extremely upset by the Prime Minister’s recent announcement of a PNP “self-defense force.”
6. I therefore now question whether it is in the best interests of the USG to pursue talks with Mayer Matalon in Washington on any basis until further clarification of the attitude of the Manley government. The economic noose is tightening, and it is certain that the GOJ is desperately seeking assistance from non-U.S. sources. If it develops any such alternative, which is viable, it will take it. If none is presented, it will probably again turn to us. But I suggest that now is not the proper time from our point of view and that any further approach by the Jamaicans must be made in a much less ambiguous manner than currently through the Matalons.
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Summary: Gerard reported on the apparent acceleration of an anti-American campaign in Jamaica and noted that Manley appeared to have made a definite turn to the Left.
Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser Papers, Presidential Country Files for Latin America, 1974–1977, Box 4, Jamaica—State Department Telegrams, To Secstate—Exdis. Confidential; Priority; Exdis. In telegram 97 from Kingston, January 7, the Embassy reported on an anti-American demonstration during which protesters had thrown rocks at the U.S. consulate. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D760005–0814) In telegram 96 from Kingston, January 7, the Embassy reported on political violence in the Jamaican capital that had broken out on January 6, just prior to the protest at the Consulate. (Ibid., D760005–0848) In telegram 305554/Tosec 250103 to Kissinger, then in Jamaica, December 31, 1975, the Department reported that Mayer Matalon had contacted Eagleburger and Rogers in an apparent effort to revive discussions on the possibility of arranging U.S. assistance to Jamaica in exchange for friendlier Jamaican policies. (Ibid., D750451–0956)
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